CHAPTER XX

Of one who fell into a well and was drawn out
unhurt

IT happened upon a time that many
came together to the ancient house of
the beloved Father Florentius to hear
the Word of God, and while he was
discoursing to them with holy exhortation, a certain man who was sitting with others on the edge
of a well was overcome with sleep and fell back
headlong into the water. All who were present
were terrified by his fall and looked down into
the well lamenting the mischance—and behold!
by the protection of God the man stood safe and
unhurt upon his feet in the water of the well, to
the wonder of all. And hastily seizing a pole
which hung above they let it down through the
well’s mouth and drew forth alive the man who,
as they had thought, was almost drowned and
dead. Seeing him freed from so great danger they
rendered thanks to God Almighty, and were not
a little comforted in that He had not allowed one
to suffer sudden death in that house.

(2) This was told me by a citizen of Kempen
who was present at the time and as a youth had
been often in Deventer; he also told me many
good things of this man of God and his Brotherhood. I have often drawn water for use in the
kitchen out of this same well, which is somewhat
narrow, and therefore the thing that was done
doth tend yet more strongly to the Glory of God,
who is present to save lives from danger, beyond
all that we ask of Him.